Islands of the Gulf - Episode 5

In the final episode of Islands of the Gulf, Elisabeth Easther retraces her mother’s 1960s trip around the Hauraki Gulf, and meets some of the people who live there in the 21st century. On Great Barrier, she connects with Mike Newman, whose father owned the local store during her mother's visit, and explores nature with track builder Stan McGeady. On Rakino, Easther meets a resident with a treasure trove of antiques. Lastly, on Waiheke, she meets a cast of eclectic characters — including a part-time mermaid, an older hip-hop dancer, and a Welsh wildlife photographer. Read more on Gulf journeys, both past and present. 

I thought of all the islands of the Hauraki, on days when they take fire from the sun, and lie light as feathers on the sea. Forty islands I see — more if you count the gannet perches — and snug in my mind's eye, not one of them seems very far away.

– Shirley Maddock, quoted by her daughter Elisabeth Easther at the end of the series

Key Cast & Crew

Elisabeth Easther

Writer, Research, Associate Producer, Presenter

Vincent Burke

Executive Producer

Shirley Maddock

Writer, Producer & Presenter of 1964 series

Warren Green

Cinematographer

Amy Barber

Sound Mix

Ken Sparks

Editor